Riddhi Kothari, DO

More Clinicians

Dr. Jonathan Hertz is board-certified in adult psychiatry. He completed fellowships in child and adolescent and public psychiatry and has been practicing psychiatry for over 18 years. Dr. Hertz's practice focuses on medication management which is offered with supportive and/or dynamic psychotherapy within 30-minute follow-up sessions. If patients have individual psychotherapists, Dr. Hertz will work collaboratively with these providers within a treatment-team approach to patient care delivery. Dr. Hertz received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He remained in Boston to complete a residency in adult psychiatry at Cambridge Health Alliance and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Children's Hospital Boston. Dr. Hertz subsequently returned to his hometown of NYC and completed a fellowship in public psychiatry. Dr. Hertz has clinical and administrative experience in the field of psychiatry. These positions include ACT Team community psychiatrist, director of adult outpatient clinic, and medical directorship in behavioral health within community hospitals. With training in child/adolescent, adult, and public psychiatry, Dr. Hertz has a developmental approach to mental health care. That is, he collaboratively explores the bio-psychosocial factors that may have influenced the development of mental disorders. Dr. Hertz believes an ecological approach enables a broader view of the multip

Justin Uzl, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Justin Uzl is double board-certified in adult and consultation liaison psychiatry. His fellowship training helped him gain greater insight into the interface between medicine and mental healthcare. He has been practicing for seven years and has worked closely with individuals with co-occurring chronic medical issues, specifically organ transplantation. Dr. Uzl takes a holistic approach to mental healthcare combining medication management, psychotherapy, and lifestyle modifications to help his patients achieve a quality of life that allows them to pursue their goals. He sees the position of the psychiatrist as helping to educate and guide patients, allowing them to take an active role in their own recovery. Dr. Uzl believes diversity is a strength and embraces providing high quality services that affirm the dignity, worth and value of all individuals including the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Uzl takes an evidence-based approach in his treatment of individuals suffering with depression, anxiety, trauma, difficulty focusing and concentrating, sleep issues, and interpersonal problems. He utilizes insight-oriented care, believing that gaining understanding of a person's feelings, thoughts, and actions will provide them the knowledge needed to make the positive change they desire. Therapy may be a key part of a person's treatment, and if greater frequency is needed outside of sessions with Dr. Uzl, he will refer and collaborate with a psychotherapist to help maximize a patient's success.

Mary Stephenson, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Mary Stephenson is a board-certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with more than 25 years of clinical experience working with this population. Dr. Stephenson's practice focuses on medication management. She believes that the support and involvement of the family are an integral part of the treatment of the client. Additionally, more therapy support may be needed on occasion, and the recommendation to bring a psychotherapist on the care team may occur to provide an optimal outcome. She received her medical degree from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She completed her psychiatry residency at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and her child and adolescent training at the Bingham Child Guidance Center, also part of the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky. After completion of her training, she moved to Colorado where she worked at The Cleo Wallace Center, in Westminster, CO, providing care for hospitalized youth, and clients in the Day Treatment and Residential setting. In 2000, Dr. Stephenson became the primary Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist on the outpatient team at Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. Her role was providing diagnostic evaluations, and medication management in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and the hospital clinic, working closely with residents, child fellows, and other trainees. She had an academic appointment through the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She treated a varied demographic and had a wide range of diagnoses in the child and adolescent population. From 2016-2021, she worked at Intermountain Health Center in Tucson, AZ providing care in the outpatient setting of the community mental health center. The care was a hybrid model of "in-person” and Telehealth treatment of children and adolescents with various disorders, with an emphasis on diagnostic evaluations of Autism and Autism spectrum disorders.‍

Derek Miller, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Derek Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has extensive experience working in the fields of substance abuse and mental health. Derek has worked with clients with a large variety of concerns and backgrounds, with more experience with male and minority populations. Derek attended undergraduate school in Alfred, NY, graduate school in Rochester, NY, including a school-based visit to Estonia to learn about social work systems abroad. Derek's greatest passion is helping people make lasting change in their lives. His approach draws both on professional and personal experiences with addiction, trauma, first responders, relationships and more. By creating a space and relationship where you feel safe, valued, and respected, Derek works together with you to overcome the challenges of today and build resiliency for the challenges yet to come. Therapy can be a truly transformative experience, when it is built on human connection and dedication to change. Derek takes an active approach, which includes asking tough questions while staying respectful, as well as humor and friendly conversations when appropriate. Therapy begins with building trust and a good relationship. Derek utilizes experiences from various practice models, including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Katelyn Thompson, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Katelyn Thompson is board certified in Adult Psychiatry. Patients looking for a psychiatric provider will find that Dr. Thompson has a gentle and approachable style. She believes that each patient was created on purpose and for a purpose. The brain is deeply wired for resilience, and Dr. Thompson is blessed to witness this while supporting her patients. She focuses on medication management with supportive psychotherapy as she treats a wide variety of psychiatric diagnoses.‍

Cosima Robinson, LPC

Staff Licensed Professional Counselor

Cosima Robinson holds a distinguished profile as a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Presently, her licensure allows her to provide counseling services within the state of Texas. Drawing upon her extensive experience, Cosima Robinson adeptly delivers tailored therapeutic interventions catering to individuals of all age groups. She proficiently addresses a spectrum of mental health challenges, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, and various life obstacles. Her therapeutic approach is characterized by an impartial, supportive, and uplifting environment designed to foster healing. Cosima's professional background encompasses a diverse range of settings. She has proficiently guided individuals in contexts such as dual-diagnosis scenarios, substance abuse recovery, residential and intensive outpatient care facilities, correctional institutions, survivors of domestic violence, and at-risk youth and families. Her counseling methodology incorporates person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-focused modalities. Notably, she remains flexible in her application of techniques, ensuring that each intervention is meticulously tailored to suit the distinct requirements of her clients.

Raafay Deen, DO

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Raafay Deen is a board eligible adult psychiatrist. At the heart of Dr. Deen's clinical approach is a strong emphasis on establishing trust and building a therapeutic relationship to help patients achieve their goals. Dr. Deen's practice focuses on medication management. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. Occasionally, Dr. Deen may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome .Dr. Deen received his medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and went on to complete his residency in psychiatry at Westchester Medical Center. He has practiced in various settings over his career, including inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient clinics, emergency rooms, and inpatient substance abuse rehab/detox programs where he treated patients with a variety of psychiatric illnesses. The philosophy of his practice is to collaborate with patients to meet their specific needs and make an impact in various stages of their lives.‍

Cheryl Person, MD

Director of Clinical Quality

Dr. Cheryl Person is the National Director of Clinical Quality at Talkiatry. She is board certified in general adult psychiatry and has been in practice for 20 years. Dr. Person focuses on medication management but believes that is only part of successful treatment. She will spend her time providing motivational interviewing or supportive therapy, and believes it is often critical to have a therapist as part of the treatment team. Dr. Person received her medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatric residency at Johns Hopkins and a psychiatric epidemiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a focus on disaster mental health. After relocating to Texas in 2010, she worked as Director of Psychiatric Services of a large safety-net hospital in Houston. Prior to Talkiatry, she most recently was the executive director/chief physician of a large university student health center and campus pharmacy. In addition to adult psychiatry, Dr. Person has worked extensively with victims of acute trauma and her primary focus is on working with patients who have anxiety and mood disorders.

Tara Merchant, LMHC

Staff Therapist

Tara Merchant is a person-centered, nonjudgmental, relationship-based LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) who recognizes the intrinsic value of all people and holds positive regard for all her clients. Tara views counseling as a collaborative effort that provides psychoeducation and coping skills for the obstacles with which clients may be struggling, and clients provide insights as experts on themselves. She believes that all thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and have valid underlying factors. Tara seeks to help clients connect the dots, from both past and present, to have a greater understanding of themselves and their environments. She also fosters a safe space for clients to identify and embrace their feelings toward emotional catharsis. Tara received her Bachelor's Degree from Purchase College, State University of NY, and her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She has an eclectic style that utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and psychodynamic modality. Tara aims to uphold cultural humility for ongoing learning and awareness that supports racial and social equity. She is experienced in working with relationship issues, anxiety, depression, and child development. Tara is a big proponent of self-care and encourages you to find whatever it is that fills your cup. She, for example, loves to watch TV and sing in her spare time.

Saisha Saint-Cyr, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Saisha Jackson is a board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry. She completed her undergraduate training at Hampton University followed by medical school at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She has completed a Residency in Psychiatry at Howard University. She has a genuine interest in treating a vast array of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and obsessive compulsive and related disorders. She specializes in psychopharmacology. Her practice focuses on medication management, and typically offers this in conjunction with supportive therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits.

Namrata Shah, MD

Staff Psychiatrist

Dr. Namrata Shah is a board-certified adult psychiatrist who completed her undergraduate training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned her medical degree at the American University of Antigua. She completed her psychiatry residency at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, where she trained at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. In addition to experience providing inpatient and outpatient care, Dr. Shah has worked with a wide variety of patient populations. The conditions she treats include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, OCD, and ADHD. In addition, Dr. Shah is particularly interested in issues related to women's mental health, including perinatal mental health issues. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of a strong doctor-patient therapeutic alliance and a patient-centered approach. To provide the best care, she believes in compassion, open communication, and collaboration. As a primary treatment method, she combines psychopharmacological medication and supportive therapy.

Lisa May, LPC

Staff Licensed Professional Counselor

Lisa May is a licensed professional counselor and mental health service provider (LPC-MHSP) with extensive experience working in the mental health field. Lisa has worked with clients of various demographics who are living with a variety of mental health conditions. Lisa attended Lindsey Wilson College where she attained her Master's in Mental Health Counseling and Morehead State University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in social work. She has worked with DCS, foster care, and had a private practice in KY before deciding to move to Tennessee. Lisa has been practicing for over 10 years and has worked in other areas of mental health since 1997. Working with Lisa, I found that treatment is tailored for the individual, as there is great effort put into choosing the treatment modality that fits the individual's personal struggles. Lisa uses the three C's (catching, checking, and changing) approach with a foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy intertwined with Mindfulness. She also prefers the person-centered focus, as she works specifically with the individual and the struggles they may be facing.‍

Riddhi Kothari, DO

Education and training

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